Keeping My Fingers Crossed

Saturday, April 27, 2013

I have discovered an amazing new woven wrap creator based out of Europe called Linuschka. They are currently having a design contest on their facebook page so head on over and vote for the next carrier to be woven. There are some great designs it was really hard to choose. Linuschka Design Contest Facebook Album

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

One of the first baby carriers that I discovered when I began researching was Comfy Joey. Their slings are beautiful. I haven't actually tried one of their slings yet but I do have 2 of their children's doll slings. They are very well made out of quality materials. The girls loved playing with them.

I'd love a chance at owning a Comfy Joey Ring Sling and discovered a giveaway that I want to share with you from The Naptown Organizer. Enter before Feb 7, 2013

Sunday, November 25, 2012

I love books! I love to spend my free time reading. My love of books began when I was very young and would walk or ride my bike up to the library. I could spend hours looking through the stacks of books. My current obsession is reading Young Adult or Junior Fiction books and mostly books with a dystopian theme. There's just something about YA and JF books that I love. I don't think I can put it exactly into words.

Friday, December 2, 2011

I love books. All kinds of books. Chronicle books has several fun books that I'd love to have. They currently are offering a Happy Haul-idays giveaway of $500 worth of books to a lucky blogger and a commenter from their blog and also a charity of their choosing. What a great giveaway!

What books would you choose? Tell me something you'd pick for yourself and something you'd pick for someone else.

And if I win don't forget that you'd get the same books that I chose. And for my charity, I'd choose to let my church, New Hope Community have the $500 to choose books for their elementary school classes. They could really benefit from some books since we currently have a very limited supply to work with.

**forgot to mention that this chronicle books giveaway ends Dec 2, 2011 (I know it ends today but it took me several days to pick out my books!)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Found a giveaway for an icomfort Serta mattress that ends tomorrow! I know short notice but I'm so glad I found it. I need a new mattress so bad! I can't tell you how often I wake up with numb arms or legs, a sore back and neck, and aching knees and hips. My mattress is so old and dips in the middle. I know several other people need some new mattresses as well, so I thought I'd share the info; even though I want to keep it secret so I can win. LOL!

I'll keep my introduction short since I know you are visiting lots of people today.

I'm Lace, the creator, writer, editor, photographer, of this sometimes neglected blog. The cast of characters often include; my nieces Buttercup (6) and Pony (4), my mom, myself, and various other people. I write about many random interesting things including; crafting, my addiction to pajamas, my ♥ of the library, bike riding, and a few product reviews.

If I'm not here, I'm editing your giveaway posts at Prizey. Which I have been fortunate to contribute and work at since it's beginning.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see some of you visit again. Make sure to stop by 5MinutesforMom and join in all the party fun.

Party of Five (1994-2000) - Family's struggles after their parents are killed in a car accident

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - Relationship between mother and daughter and their eccentric townsfolk

Jericho (2006-2008) - After a nuclear attack, one town learns to band together

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) - Two different groups experiences in high school during the 80s

I actually just discovered Freaks and Geeks and I'm loving catching up on all the episodes. I'll be sad when it's over in just a few short episodes.

One thing I've noticed, I watch a lot of shows that seem to get cancelled after just one or two seasons. They are great shows, fun and quirky, or just plain awesome TV but for some reason don't get a huge audience and the TV execs give up on them. Much to the dismay of their fans.

I'm so glad I can catch past episodes of many TV shows on DVD and great sites like Hulu.

What shows do you miss? I'd love to find out if we have the same taste in shows or if there is a show I've been missing and need to go find on Netflix, Youtube, or Hulu.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Our family has been thinking about purchasing a flat screen for our main TV in the living room. We do have a small flat screen in the kitchen. But what do you put your TV on? Hanging it on the wall is one idea I like. It would make a bit more floor space in the living room. But then what do you do with all the TV components? You know the DVD player, DVR, VCR (yes we still have one hooked up to our TV), stereo equipment and speakers. What's the solution for all that stuff?

I guess you will still need some kind of LCD TV stand or cabinet system to store the extras in. Something like these 2 stands would be my first choice, maybe with the TV mounted on the wall above it.

If you have a flat screen TV, do you have it mounted on the wall or sitting on a TV stand? And what have you done about all the extra stuff TVs require? I'd really love some ideas on the best way to organize my entertainment area without it looking cluttered. And how do you hide all the cords so they aren't hanging down the wall from the TV?

Monday, February 14, 2011

I *puffy heart w/glitter* the library. I always have. I remember as a kid being so excited to ride my bike to the library to find something new to read. The library I visited as a kid is a Carnegie library that was opened in 1903 and in use until 1994. It's a beautiful brick and stone building that I've always thought would make a great house. One of my favorite features of the library was a curved stone staircase that led to the children's section in the basement. I felt like I was in a castle whenever I went down those stairs. I miss the old building; the worn front steps, the vault in the back, the wooden steps so kids could stand at the counter, and the bookmarks made from old wallpaper samples.

(vintage photo of my old library)

(I'll try and find a new photo)

I visit the library at least once a week and sometimes more. They have a great selection of books and if you can't find a book in the library our state has a great inter-library loan system, which I use often. They also have great programs. We've participated in several of them. Kid's reading programs in the summer, story times, zoo animal visits, library at the park, and tea parties. We attended a Fancy Nancy Tea Party recently that was so much fun.

Buttercup and Pony love to visit the library with me and could spend just as long of time in there as me. Each time they visit, they check out an Elephant and Piggie book by Mo Willems. I usually have to keep them from checking out all of them.

One thing about the library that I'm not sure you know (or maybe you do?) is that its a black hole where time doesn't exist. I enter the library, browse some books and choose the book I want. The next thing I know, I've been in the library for 2 hours! and it only felt like I was there for 30 mins. Does this happen to you? I once missed an entire class period in high school because I was so engrossed in my research that I didn't hear the bell ring for the next hour and I looked at the clock and had been in the library for 2 class periods. It happens to me all the time.

I'm headed to the library today to pick up some more books. Show your library some love and go get some books.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Now that the Holidays are here and we have more family gatherings, I find that we need a few more places for people to sit. The floor is always good and that is where I tend to sit when there are no chairs left but not everyone can sit on the floor. Another option might be to use home bar furniture like bar stools. CSN has a great selection of bar stools and pub tables from modern to traditional to outdoor styles.

I really like the shape of this bar stool. It's fun.

I have a few friends that have pub style tables and I really like them. I like their height. This would be the table and chair set I'd choose. I think my style leans more towards simple clean lines with a bit of traditional in the mix. Actually, this set looks similar to our Amish made table and chair set we have now.

You can find so much more at CSN's 200+ stores than you'd have imagined. I'm really loving this sandbox and think that we need to upgrade our plastic ladybug sandbox to this much larger and nicer box.

Buttercup and Pony would adore this vanity and the standing mirror would go great in their room near their dress-up center.

And I think that every kid should have an easel for maximum art production.

If you remember, I reviewed a toddler bed last year and found CSN a great company to work with. They have quality products and great service.

Giveaway

I have a great surprise for you. CSN Stores has allowed me to offer my readers and guests an $80 gift certificate to their stores. I'm going to make this giveaway really simple to enter with just one mandatory entry question (which gives everyone one entry into the giveaway).

Rules and How to Enter

Mandatory Entry: Visit CSN stores and leave a comment on this post with something you found that you think makes a great gift for a friend or family member.

giveaway ends December 19, 2010 at 11:59 pm est.

winner will be chosen using random.org sequence generator, first number listed is the winner according to comment order on blog post.

winner will be contacted by email shortly after giveaway ends (or the next morning) and will have 2 days to respond (from time/date stamp on email) in order to claim their prize or a new winner will be drawn.

please have your email available in your profile or leave it in your comment (if I can't send you an email, you can't win).

one entry per person (please don't leave multiple comments. The first comment will be your entry and all others will be thrown out)

giveaway is open to US and Canada residents (anyone may enter even if you know me in real life or have never met me as long as you live in the US or Canada. Random.org picks the winners)

shipping charges may apply

rules and dates subject to change

sponsor is responsible for prizes

And just because I'm curious, what do you use for extra seating?

***********disclosure:I was not paid to write this post and did not receive any compensation; however, I am a CSN preferred blogger and have received review products in the past. CSN stores offered to provide my readers with a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Skin MD Natural is hosting an amazing Fall into Cooking giveaway. You can win a ceramic cooking set and a years supply of Skin MD Natural. I don't know about you, but my skin is already starting to feel the cold snap of the wind with dry, itchy hands. And I could use some new pans. These are gorgeous! I'm heading over right now to enter, are you?

Friday, October 8, 2010

Have you heard that your choice of how you carry your baby might be in danger? That is your choice on using carriers (ring slings, mei tais, pouch slings etc). The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commision) is going after all carriers warning that they are unsafe.

The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) is working to create standards for carriers and promoteeducation on the proper usage of slings. You can read the BCIA's mission statement and position here.

My love of babywearing began early in the year 2007. I didn't know anyone who used slings and didn't know of any classes in my area to learn from. I researched lots of information and styles of slings to see what was the best. I still wasn't sure if it was for me so I looked up patterns to make my own figuring if I didn't like it, I was only out some material and time. I created a pouch sling from a pattern I found at Karma Baby. A few months after that, I won a ring sling from Posh Papoose and I was hooked! My next purchase was a mei tai from Bloo Kangaroo which I love. I've made a couple more pouches for friends and received a few more pouches and ring slings.I can't imagine not using slings with babies and toddlers. I'm able to do so much:

keep them close while in public.

get things finished.

offer comfort and a cozy place to sleep.

a ride when their legs get tired from walking

a different point of view

safety

snuggles

love

and so much more!

Anyone can use slings. I'm an aunt and use them to carry my nieces. My Mom has used them to carry her granddaughters. I've used them with friends' babies I was caring for. My Dad has even used them once or twice. Sadly, my babywearing days are currently on hold since the girls are getting so big. We've used the mei tai only a few times in the last year.

If you have any questions about babywearing search the internet for any local classes near you. I would have loved to attend some classes and might in the future. I'd love to try wrapping next.

Make sure to visit Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing before Oct. 10, 2010 to see more stories of babywearing, get more information about the BCIA, and share your own story to be entered for a Sakura Bloom Ring Sling (which are amazing and I'd love to own).

The oldest doesn't fit on the toddler bed anymore and she complains every time she has to sleep on it. We've taken to putting the mattress on the floor so that she has a bit more room to move around and boy does she move around.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Welcome to my piece of the internet. Pull up a hammock or a swing, which happens to be our favorite places to sit, and grab a handful of M&Ms. I'm currently working on several handfuls now so grab another handful and catch up. (I just looked back at my UBP post from 2009 and I was eating M&Ms then as well. Those were fancy Spring colors. Today you just get the regular colors.)

My name is lace and I started this blog back in March of 2007 on a whim. I focused on giveaway listings in the beginning and slowly worked a bit more personal stuff in. Now I mostly blog about days with Buttercup and Pony (my nieces). And the giveaway listings I post are at Prizey where I am the Assistant Editor. If you've submitted a giveaway listing to Prizey, I'm the one who edits them and posts them to the site. Hi!

Friday, April 9, 2010

I don't know about your kids but the girls love playing on the computer. Some of their favorite activities are:

Typing their names using Word

Listening to music on grooveshark (because you can pick which songs and how often you hear them) in our rotation is: Gotta Pebble in my Shoe - Ella Fitzgerald and That's How you Know (Enchanted) - Amy Adams (that's it over and over and over)

This post is about one particular game they like to play at Peep and the Big Wide World. Have you seen Peep? It's a really cute cartoon about a chick (Peep), a bird (Chirp), a duck (Quack) and various animal friends.

On to the game, it's called House Hunt. It's basically a memory matching game where you match an animal with its house. When you click on a leaf it tells you the name of the animal or what kind of house is on the leaf. Along the way, you get some questions and encouraging words like "Who lives here?," "Rabbit," "Good Job!," "Nice going!" "Where does this animal live?,".

One animal friend that lives here is a beaver and the beaver lives in a dam. And I can't help it. I laugh every time I hear the girls play this game (yes I am easily amused). "Beaver, Where does this animal live? Dam! Good Job!" or "Dam, Who lives here?"

You really should play the game to hear how it sounds. So funny.

*I had a .wav file I created of the game but I don't know how to put it here and it's really late and I'm too tired to try and figure it out. I'll try again later. In the meantime, go play the game. It's really fun.

Why Puff the Magic Dragon song doesn't have a girl in it (the book version has the lyrics changed to 'A dragon lives forever but not so little girls and boys'. We were listening to the original version by Peter, Paul and Mary)

Wondering where a cardboard house went that was on display at the library and if she could get her grandpa to make her one.

Monday, January 25, 2010

I think I've been on a break long enough. I just realized I haven't posted anything here in over a month. That's the longest break I've ever taken. I'm sure I've lost all of my readers (all 2 of them that aren't actually related to me or a great friend) If not say Hi and let me know you are still here.

Nothing profound to post about today just an observation I made a few weeks ago. I have a lot of hair things and they all end up on my bedside table. Often through the day, I pull my hair back or at least part of it to get it out of my face. Then I go to bed and take it out and put it on my table. The next day, I go looking for another hair thing and usually get a new one out. I also have 2 little nieces that contribute to the hair band clutter on my table. Well I cleaned my table and found: